Daily Digest: Aug. 4

Our daily digest is a mid-day update on the stories we’re following in Texas politics today. Here’s what we’re watching:

School Finance Reform:

A plan to pump $1.8 billion into Texas’ public schools has again been approved. Friday, the Texas House initially okayed a sweeping proposal to begin overhauling the state’s troubled school finance system.

The measure would increase per-pupil funding while offering extra money for school transportation and educating dyslexic students.

House members approved a similar bill during the regular legislative session. But it died after the Senate attached a private school voucher plan to it.

The measure still faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has referred to the House plan as a “Ponzi scheme,” saying it relies on state budget tricks.

Medicaid Cuts:

The Texas House gave final approval Friday to a measure that would partially reverse a controversial cut to therapy services for disabled children. But Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, first tried to add an amendment that would have funded the measure with money from the Rainy Day Fund instead of the Disaster Relief Fund. It failed. The bill now heads to the Texas Senate.

Reporter Roundtable:

We’ll be joined by Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News and Jay Root of the Texas Tribune to discuss the past week in Texas politics.

Washington Latest:

The Department of Justice is cracking down on leaks. Attorney General Jeff Sessions says department and intelligence leaks are hurting national security. The announcement comes after classified information involving the Trump Administration and White House was reported nationwide.

“We will investigate and continue to bring criminals to justice, we will not allow rogue anonymous sources to sell out our country,” Sessions said.

The president has spoken out the against leaks and complained that Sessions has not been tough enough.

Sessions says the department is now reviewing guidelines related to subpoenas of journalists.

Watch for the latest on these stories and more on Capital Tonight at 7pm.

Let’s keep the conversation going on our political blog! Capital Roundup is an extension of the interviews, debates, analysis and commentary seen on our nightly political show, Capital Tonight. We invite you to join the discussion.

Capital Tonight airs live every night at 7 p.m. with a replay at 11 p.m.